On a particularly degraded track, marked by monstrous barriers and an accumulation of gravel making grip as precarious as on ice, Elfyn Evans demonstrated total mastery. The driver Toyota confirms its start of rally perfect by achieving the best time, thus consolidating its position as leader.
The tire carnage
While Evans seemed to be dominating the proceedings, the rest of the field endured a technical nightmare. Sami Pajari, despite a puncture, miraculously managed to set the second fastest time on the stage, just ahead of a Thierry Neuville opportunist who makes the clan’s best accounting move Hyundai.
The toll is much heavier for Adrien fourmauxAlready struggling at the start, the rider from northern France was abruptly halted by a puncture. Although he managed to reach the finish line, the stopwatch’s verdict was unequivocal: 1 minute 28 seconds behind the race leader.
The same was true for Jon Armstrong: the Irishman, who was very prominent during SS1, was also betrayed by his front-left suspension, losing all the benefit of his excellent start to the rally.
ALSO READ > Rally Croatia – SS1: First stage win for Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg retires
WRC – Rally Croatia
The classification of SS2:
The overall standings at the end of the 2th special stage:
